2,2,4-Trimethylpentane

540-84-1

Hazard Summary-Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane is released to the environment through the manufacture,
use, and disposal of products associated with the petroleum and gasoline
industry. During an accident, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane penetrated
the skin of a human which caused necrosis of the skin and tissue in the
hand and required surgery. No other information is available on
the acute (short-term) effects in humans. Irritation of the lungs,
edema, and hemorrhage have been reported in rodents acutely exposed by
inhalation and injection. No information is available on the chronic
(long-term), reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenic effects of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane
in humans. Kidney and liver effects have been observed in rats chronically
exposed via gavage (experimentally placing the chemical in the stomach)
and inhalation. EPA has not classified 2,2,4-trimethylpentane with
respect to potential carcinogenicity.

Uses

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane is used in determining octane numbers of fuels,
in spectrophotometric analysis, as a solvent and thinner, and in organic
syntheses. (1,4)

Sources and Potential Exposure

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane is released to the environment through the
manufacture, use, and disposal of products associated with the petroleum
and gasoline industry. Automotive exhaust and evaporative emissions
are important sources of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane. The general public
may be exposed by the inhalation of ambient air. (1)

Occupational exposure may occur by inhalation during the refining
of petroleum and during the use and disposal of petroleum products and
gasoline. (1)

Assessing Personal Exposure

No information was located regarding the measurement of personal
exposure to 2,2,4-trimethylpentane.

Health Hazard Information

Acute Effects:

During an accident, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane penetrated the skin of
a human which caused necrosis of the skin and tissue in the hand and
required surgery. No other information is available on the acute
effects in humans. (1)

Irritation of the lungs, edema, and hemorrhage have been reported
in rodents acutely exposed by inhalation and injection. (1,2)

Central nervous system (CNS) depression has been reported in mice
following acute inhalation exposure. (1)

Chronic Effects (Noncancer):

No information is available on the chronic effects of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane
in humans.

Kidney and liver effects have been observed in rats chronically exposed
via gavage and inhalation. (1)

EPA has not established a Reference Concentration (RfC)
or a Reference Dose (RfD) for
2,2,4-trimethylpentane. (3)

Reproductive/Developmental Effects:

No information is available on the reproductive or developmental
effects of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane in humans or animals.

Cancer Risk:

No information is available on the carcinogenic effects of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane
in humans or animals.

EPA has not classified 2,2,4-trimethylpentane with respect to potential
carcinogenicity. (3)

Physical Properties

The chemical formula for 2,2,4-trimethylpentane is C8H18,
and its molecular weight is 114.22 g/mol. (4)

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane occurs as a colorless, highly flammable, mobile
liquid that is practically insoluble in water. (1,4)

2,2,4-Trimethylpentane smells like gasoline; the odor threshold has
not been established. (1,4)

The vapor pressure for 2,2,4-trimethylpentane is 40.6 mm Hg at 21
°C. (1,2)

Note: There are very few health or regulatory/advisory numbers for
2,2,4-trimethylpentane, thus a graph has not been prepared for this compound.
The health information cited in this factsheet was obtained in December
1999. Conversion Factors:To convert concentrations in air (at 25 °C) from ppm to mg/m3:
mg/m3 = (ppm) × (molecular weight of the compound)/(24.45).
For 2,2,4-trimethylpentane: 1 ppm = 4.67 mg/m3.